Effects of Home-Based Electrical Stimulation on Plasma Cytokines Profile, Redox Biomarkers, and Metalloproteinases in the Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Low-frequency electrical stimulation (LFES) is an adjuvant method for heart failure (HF) patients with restrictions to start an exercise. However, the impact on molecular changes in circulating is unknown. We investigated the effects of 10 weeks of home-based LFES on plasma cytokines profile, redox biomarkers, metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity, and exercise performance in HF patients. Methods: Twenty-four HF patients (52.45 ± 9.15 years) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (EF < 40%), were randomly assigned to a home-based LFES or sham protocol. Plasma cytokines profile was assessed through interleukins, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor levels. Oxidative stress was evaluated through ferric reducing antioxidant power, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The MMPs activity were analyzed by zymography. Cardiorespiratory capacity and muscle strength were evaluated by cardiopulmonary test and isokinetic. Results: LFES was able to increase the active-MMP2 activity post compared to pre-training (0.057 to 0.163, p = 0.0001), while it decreased the active-MMP9 (0.135 to 0.093, p = 0.02). However, it did not elicit changes in cytokines, redox biomarkers, or exercise performance (p > 0.05). Conclusion: LFES protocol is a promising intervention to modulate MMPs activity in HFrEF patients, although with limited functional effects. These preliminary responses may help the muscle to adapt to future mechanical demands dynamically.

Combined exercise training improved exercise capacity and lung inflammation in rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome.

AIM: Physical exercise training attenuates pulmonary inflammation, but its effects on impaired respiratory function caused by hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) have not been evaluated. We determined if the combination of moderate intensity aerobic and resistance training during HPS development modifies exercise capacity, respiratory system mechanics, and lung inflammation responses. MAIN METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, HPS, and HPS + combined exercise training groups. Fifteen days after HPS induction, a moderate intensity aerobic plus resistance exercise training protocol was performed five times a week for 5 weeks on alternate days. Exercise capacity, respiratory system mechanics, lung inflammation, pulmonary morphology, and immunohistochemistry were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: Overall, our findings indicated that combined exercise training efficiently increased the maximal running and resistance capacity of HPS animals. The training regimen reduced the expression of P2X7 in parenchymal leukocytes (P < 0.01), partially restored the expression of interleukin-10 in airway epithelium (P < 0.01), and increased the expression of TFPI in the airway epithelium (P < 0.01) as well as reduced its expression in parenchymal leukocytes (P < 0.01). However, exercise training did not attenuate HPS-induced respiratory mechanical derangements or lung tissue remodeling. SIGNIFICANCE: Combined exercise training can elicit adaptation with regard to both maximal running capacity and maximum strength and modify the expression of P2X7 and TFPI in parenchymal leukocytes and that of IL-10 in airway epithelium.

The impact of mass spectrometry application to screen new proteomics biomarkers in Ophthalmology.

INTRODUCTION: In the search for molecular markers that aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of various human diseases, many studies have focused on changes in genes, their transcripts and protein products. Recent advances in proteomic methodologies, such as mass spectrometry (MS), generate new opportunities to obtain relevant information on normal and abnormal processes that occur in many important cell pathways. The human eye is a highly specialized and compartmentalized organ, and the interpretation of molecular biomarkers helps to evaluate its cellular structure, providing a broader molecular understanding that corroborates in the pathophysiology of ophthalmological diseases, with marked improvements in their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. This review summarizes the most important protein biomarkers in Ophthalmology screened by MS tools. CONCLUSION: The use of translational medicine techniques (as MS), integrating basic and clinical research, still transforms scientific findings, from laboratory researches to clinical applications, from the bedside into the community.

Time-Course of Changes in Physiological, Psychological, and Performance Markers following a Functional-Fitness Competition.

Functional Fitness Training (FFT) programs are characterized by utilizing a high volume of training and using a variety of high intensity exercises. While FFT are growing in the number of practitioners and popularity, the relationship between physiological biomarkers and subjective scales in the specific context of FFT has not yet been evaluated in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to monitor the time-course response of cytokines (IL-10 and 1L-1ß), immune variables (C-reactive protein -CRP and immunoglobulin A-IgA), hormonal milieu (cortisol-C, total testosterone-TT, free testosterone-FT and testosterone/cortisol-T/C ratio), creatine kinase-CK, muscle performance (countermovement jump height) and perceived well-being (WB) following a functional fitness competition. Nine amateur male athletes (age 27.1 ± 4.1 years; training experience 2.2 ± 1.3 years) completed five workouts over three consecutive days of FFT-competition. All variables were measured before, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h following the last day of competition. The FFT-competition induced a decrease in IL10/IL1ß ratio approximately 5% after 24h, 21% after 48h and 31% after 72h. Delta T/C ratio remained unchanged during the post-competition period. IgA displayed a significant increase 24h and 72h post FFT-competition. The WB status score was higher 72h after the FFT-competition as compared with pre-competition. The present findings suggest that FFT-competition induces transient changes in some inflammatory and hormonal biomarkers, and perceived well-being seems to be efficient to detect changes in muscle performance.

The Role of the NIS (SLC5A5) Gene in Papillary Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Genetic and epigenetic alterations play a decisive role in the onset of several human neoplasms. Mutations and polymorphisms are two frequent genetic alterations. Located on chromosome 19 (19p13.11), the NIS SLC5A5 (solute carrier family 5 member 5) gene encodes a highly specialized and efficient 80-90 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates active transport of iodide from the bloodstream into the follicular cells. Given the highly significant role of NIS in the physiology and the cancer pathogenesis process, this paper's objective is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the associations between NIS gene and protein with papillary thyroid cancer.

Functional capacity and obesity reflect the cognitive performance of older adults living in long-term care facilities.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in life expectancy, the elderly Brazilian population has grown considerably. However, longevity is usually accompanied by problems such as the loss of functional capacity, cognitive decline, and deterioration in anthropometric parameters, particularly among those living in long-term care facilities. We analyzed the relationship among cognitive performance, anthropometry, and functional capacity in institutionalized elderly individuals. METHODS: In a sample of 38 older adults (20 men, 18 women) aged 73.4 ± 8.1 years, data regarding anthropometric and functional measurements as well as the Mini-Mental State Examination were collected. Functional tests were based on a battery adapted from the Functional Fitness Test. The independent t-test and χ2 test were applied. P < 0.05 was set as the significance threshold. RESULTS: The rate of cognitive impairment among obese individuals (78.6%) differed from that among eutrophic subjects (45.8%), but there was no difference between sexes. There was a significant positive correlation between handgrip strength and Mini-Mental State Examination score, and the scores of the timed up-and-go test and the sitting-rising test were negatively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination score. CONCLUSION: Cognitive impairment in the elderly living in long-term care facilities was more pronounced and frequent in obese individuals. This study also demonstrated that better functional capacity reflects better cognitive performance.